Collaroy vs Collaroy Plateau: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Collaroy and Collaroy Plateau are both Northern Beaches rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 16.9 km and 17 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Collaroy Plateau runs $1,380 a year cheaper than Collaroy, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $15,820.
Over 10 years, Collaroy Plateau costs about $15,800 less to run than Collaroy — the same as paying $15,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Collaroy
Collaroy Plateau
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Collaroy | Collaroy Plateau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,504 | $4,524 | -$20 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $1,850 | +$1,400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,068 | $9,688 | +$1,380 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,950 | $7,550 | +$1,400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Collaroy | Collaroy Plateau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Collaroy vs Collaroy Plateau (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Collaroy Plateau costs $1,380 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $15,820 in favour of Collaroy Plateau.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,400 per year. Collaroy carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,400 per year, $8,950 from Collaroy versus $7,550 from Collaroy Plateau.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Collaroy cumulative | Collaroy Plateau cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,068 | $9,688 | $1,380 |
| Year 3 | $34,210 | $29,945 | $4,265 |
| Year 5 | $58,762 | $51,435 | $7,327 |
| Year 10 | $126,882 | $111,062 | $15,820 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Collaroy or Collaroy Plateau cheaper to live in?
Collaroy Plateau is cheaper to run by car at $9,688 per year versus $11,068 for Collaroy, a difference of $1,380 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Collaroy and Collaroy Plateau?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Collaroy (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Collaroy Plateau (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Collaroy and $1,548 in Collaroy Plateau. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Collaroy and Collaroy Plateau?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,504 from Collaroy and $4,524 from Collaroy Plateau to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Collaroy and $2,386 from Collaroy Plateau.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Collaroy and Collaroy Plateau?
At 3% annual cost growth, Collaroy costs a cumulative $126,882 and Collaroy Plateau costs $111,062 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $15,820 in favour of Collaroy Plateau. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Collaroy and Collaroy Plateau is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Northern Beaches rates (OLG and Northern Beaches rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.